Metallic fence-post.



H. D. CLARK.

METALLIC FENCE POST.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.17, 1913.

1,075,899.. Patented 0013.14, 1913.

un macaw COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH C0,,WASHINOTON. D. c.

HUGH D. CLARK, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO.

METALLIC FENCE-POST.

Application filed March 17,

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HUGH D. CLARK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Columbus, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Metallic Fence- Posts, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to metallic fence posts and is particularly directed to the provision of a fence post embodying the desired features of durability and simplicity coupled with inherent rigidity.

The one object of my invention is to provide a metallic fence post in which the various strands of wire forming the fence to be supported thereby, may be removed or replaced without in any way disturbing the supporting structure for the remaining portion of the fence.

I have further aimed to so shape my post to attain a maximum rigidity. The body portion of my post is desirably of angular form and may be stifiened by either crimping its longitudinal edges to give it a different angularity than the remaining body portion or the free edges may be doubled back upon themselves to present a double thickness or both, thereby enabling me to use comparatively light metallic sheets.

The preferred embodiment of my invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts, and in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of my fence post shown in its position in the ground and as supporting a wire fence, Fig. 2 is a section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows, and, Fig. 3 is a view in perspective showing the preferred type of locking means used by me for securing the fence to the post.

In the drawings, I have shown my fence post 1 as being made of comparatively thin sheet metal bent to substantially V-shape and as gradually decreasing in taper from the base portion 2 to the uppermost portion 3. The crotch portion of my post is slotted at repeated intervals as indicated at 4 through which are adapted to pass the wire strands 5 forming the fence to be supported.

The legs 6 and 7 of the body portion 1 are desirably crimped along their longitudinal edges as indicated at 8 to give a different Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 14,1913.

1913. Serial No. 754,775.

angularity at their extremities and to thereby increase the rigidity of the entire post. To further increase its rigidity and to form a retention pocket as will be hereinafter described, I also double the longitudinal edge portions of the body portion 1 back upon themselves as indicated at 9.

As a means of retention for the fence upon the post, I provide a plurality of individual resilient locking members, each preferably formed from a single piece of wire and bent to form a head 10 and outwardly flaring resilient legs 11. These locking wires are adapted to have their heads 10 placed between the inner surface of the body portion of the post and the various wires forming the fence, thereby holding the same locked against release. The legs 11 are then adapted to be sprung into the pocket formations formed by the doubled over portions 9 and are thereby resiliently held in position. It

will also be noted that the crimped portions 8 carrying these pocket formations are of a slightly different angularity than the legs proper 6 and 7 of the body portion, 1 and that, therefore, the extremities of the wire legs 11 will slightly bind themselves against the walls 9 as clearly illustrated in Fig. 2.

From the above description, it will be apparent that I have provided a comparatively simple structure of fence post in which a maximum degree of rigidity may be attained and at the same time have provided a structure permitting the ready dismantling or releasing of a fence from its position.

What I claim, is:

l. A metallic fence post comprising an angular body portion having slots therein adapted to receive the strands of wire forming the fence, pocket formations carried by said post, and individual resilient locking Wires formed with heads and legs, said heads adapted to be placed between the said body portion and said wire strands, and said legs being adapted to resiliently engage saidpocket formations.

2. A metallic fence post comprising a V- shaped body portion having slots therein adapted to receive the strands of wire forming the fence, pocket formations carried by said post formed by folding back the edge portions of said V-shaped body portion, and a resilient locking wire formed with a head and legs, said head to be placed between said body portion and said wire strands, and said legs being adapted to resiliently engage said pocket formations.

3. A metallic fence post comprising a V- shaped body portion having slots in the crotch thereof, adapted to receive the strands of wire forming the fence, the edge portions of the legs of said body portion being crimped to give it a different angularity than the remainder of the legs and doubled back upon themselves to form a double thickness, and individual resilient locking wires formed with heads and legs, said heads adapted to be laced between said body portlon and said wire strands, and said legs being adapted to resiliently engage the doubled-back portions of said legs.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HUGH D. CLARK.

Witnesses:

WALTER E. L. BocK, AJL. PHELPS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, I). 0. 

